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Potential CBA Changes

Posted Dec 29, 2012
by Aaron Portzline
| 0 comments

The NHL and NHLPA are set to talk this morning, a chance for the players to get answers and update regarding the NHL's lasted collective bargaining agreement proposal issued on Thursday. If the answers gain traction with the players, the two sides could hold formal talks as early as Sunday in New York City.

This would appear to the last best chance to get a CBA done in time to spare a shortened 2013 season. Reportedly, the NHL, with this proposal, envisions a Jan. 12 start to training camp and a Jan. 19 start for the regular season. It really can't go much later than that if a 48-game season is to be possible.

A couple of tidbits to absorb, as you avoid shoveling the driveway a few minutes more:

-- Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported via Twitter on Friday that the NHL had discussed a limited and perhaps temporary realignment for the shortened season. Columbus would leave the Central Division for the Southeast Division -- goodbye Chicago, Detroit, Nashville and St. Louis, hello Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay, Washington -- and Winnipeg would leave the Southeast for the Central. Brooks is among the gold standard of reporters, and nothing we've learned has shot down his report. But several sources, contacted by The Dispatch, indicated that it would not happen as soon as this season. Realignment, you'll recall, was approved by the NHL board of governors nearly a year ago, but is considered part of CBA negotiations.

-- ESPN reported yesterday that the NHL's proposal calls for a new format in the NHL draft lottery, giving all non-playoff clubs -- not just the bottom five teams in the standings -- a chance to win the No. 1 overall pick. That means 14 of the 30 clubs would have a chance to pick No. 1 overall. One of the complaints heard in recent years is that the NHL doesn't get much steam out of its draft lottery selection, because the fans of only five markets have a stake in the results. This could make the event more of a TV draft for the league. Also, some owners have groused that the same clubs are in the lottery just about every season. And they're right. Columbus, Florida and New York Islanders are regulars, along with Edmonton in recent years.

-- Free agency may no longer open on July 1. The NHL proposal calls for a July 10 start. The players appear to be fine with such a move. There are myriad reasons it works. Here are just two of them: 1) It doesn't disrupt the Fourth of July holiday in the U.S. 2) It gives more space between the NHL draft and free agency.

Side dishes:

-- The Blue Jackets will simulcast tonight's Springfield vs. Connecticut AHL game on www.bluejackets.com. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

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